Ex-NFLer Runyan unseats incumbent in NJ House race

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Republican Jon Runyan, the former Philadelphia Eagles lineman, beat incumbent Democrat John Adler in a tight New Jersey House race, returning the seat to the party that had long controlled it.

Both Runyan and tea party organizations criticized Adler, claiming that his campaign planted a phony tea party candidate in the race to take votes from the Republican. Adler and the independent candidate, Peter DeStefano, both denied the accusations.

Adler was a longtime state legislator who won the congressional seat two years ago after the Republican who had long represented it retired. The district stretches from the Philadelphia suburbs to state’s beaches.

Runyan spent 14 years in the NFL. He played for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, Eagles and San Diego Chargers.